Leaking Condensate Drainage Pipe- Advice Please

[nnightingale85]

Hello,

This is my first post and I hope you could offer me some advice please.

We recently had a new boiler fitted, the boiler and radiators are working well, but the finish is awful.

The Condensate Drainage Pipe runs externally to the soil pipe, not ideal, but were having a conservatory fitted over it.

This pipe is now leaking from the joint where it meets the soil pipe and also the elbow and other joints. The plumber is avoiding our messages and to be honest I would rather ask someone else to do the job.

I have attached a picture of the pipe, I'm no expert but should it not be one pipe at an angle?

Please could you offer advice on what I should be asking a plumber for, I need this pipe to be water tight, as its going to be boxed in in the conservatory which is supposed to be getting done in the first weeks of January.

Thank You in advance (sorry I couldnt rotate it!)

Nat 🙂

 

[ShaunCorbs]

best and looks of it best to get replaced by a good plumber/ heating eng, if that looks like that what does the rest of the install look like

 

[rpm]

Welcome to the forum Nat. There is a section of the forum where you can ask if anyone lives near you and is willing to take a look and quote just say what your postcode is and good luck.

Wouldn`t worry about the photo as we`re used to it. lol

 

[Dotty]

That is appalling workmanship!

You sure that the pipemonkey was a gsr?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Welcome to the forum Nat. There is a section of the forum where you can ask if anyone lives near you and is willing to take a look and quote just say what your postcode is and good luck.

Wouldn`t worry about the photo as we`re used to it. lol

[DLMURL="http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/im-looking-plumber-gas-engineer/"]I'm looking for a Plumber or Gas Engineer[/DLMURL]

 

[nnightingale85]

Thanks for your advice, I will post on there later.

He was on the Gas Safe Register! And has 5* reviews online (he probably wrote them himself lol)

Thankfully the boiler and radiators are working, but the finish is shocking. That's only the start of it! Some of it is laughable, but gutted at the same time.

I am tempted to report the Gas Safe, but he knows where I live, haha.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Thanks for your advice, I will post on there later.

He was on the Gas Safe Register! And has 5* reviews online (he probably wrote them himself lol)

Thankfully the boiler and radiators are working, but the finish is shocking. That's only the start of it! Some of it is laughable, but gutted at the same time.

I am tempted to report the Gas Safe, but he knows where I live, haha.

if your unsure might be worth asking someone to check it over when they come to fix the pipe

 

[PhoenixServices]

Post some pics of the rest of the work.

 

[nnightingale85]

It's mainly dodgy brickwork, but still, for £2,800 you expect a certain level of standards.

He did come back to fill in the of the holes and straighten up our towel rail. He said he couldn't make the radiator in the bedroom central to the window because of the pipes, beams and electric under the floor? We also have a radiator that moves side to side!

I'd rather a proper 'bricky' do the front of the house, so going to ask the guys who are fitting the conservatory if they can so something?

Never mind, I think we were just unlucky, but like I say, the boiler is working which is the main thing I suppose! :teeth_smile:

 

[Rickster123]

Please can we have a pic of the boiler install? I'm fearing the worst..

 

[kozak1968]

Recommendation is the only way to get a good tradesman.

 

[nnightingale85]

I hope this is OK!!!

 

[nnightingale85]

I know, but it's difficult when we are new to the area and don't know anyone around here :-(

 

[kozak1968]

Doesn't look too bad, Its a shame some engineers let themselves down by not answering calls for a return visit. But saying that some customers can be demanding.

 

[Rickster123]

It's not actually as bad as I was expecting! Such a shame when jobs aren't finished off neatly. If you're not happy get him back. You haven't got to fall out with him just say you're a little unhappy with the finish of the job and you'd like these things tidied up.

We're so british! Mustn't complain or upset anyone! :smile5:

 

[Rickster123]

Oops sorry missed the bit about trying to get him back already.

 

[nnightingale85]

He has been back once, filled in some brick work, straightened up a radiator and moved the outside tap, but avoiding our calls this time about the pipe at the back this time. Will keep trying though!

I don't think we've been too awkward, I was nice to him when he broke one of our paving slabs, lol.

I'm glad the boiler seems OK though! You've put my mind at ease!

Thanks 🙂

 

[ShaunCorbs]

He has been back once, filled in some brick work, straightened up a radiator and moved the outside tap, but avoiding our calls this time about the pipe at the back this time. Will keep trying though!

I don't think we've been too awkward, I was nice to him when he broke one of our paving slabs, lol.

I'm glad the boiler seems OK though! You've put my mind at ease!

Thanks 🙂

best way to tell how good he is, is find the benchmark for the boiler (normally in the back of the manufacturers instructions has he filled it out?)

 

[Rickster123]

best way to tell how good he is, is find the benchmark for the boiler (normally in the back of the manufacturers instructions has he filled it out?)

Don't know, he's taken the book with him....

 

[rpm]

Photo 3 of the brickwork at the front of the house looks pretty amazing!!!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Don't know, he's taken the book with him....

hope not thats one of my pet hates 🙂

op post a pic up of the moving rad please

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Photo 3 of the brickwork at the front of the house looks pretty amazing!!!

maybe he ran out of bricks 😀

 

[AWheating]

I would say he needs to invest in some solvent cleaner.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I would say he needs to invest in some solvent cleaner.

if it is might be mastic

 

[spanner]

Why not just go diagonal with condensate. Would have thought it's more prone to freezing being zigz without insulation.
install of boiler looks good.

 

[PhoenixServices]

Install of the boiler doesn't look too bad. Just a shame he couldn't finish off the making good neatly. What did you get for your £2800? You say boiler install and some rads, was it a whole new heating system?

 

[spanner]

Apprentice and Sir Alan Sugar @ 9pm...
Will the plumber win it!!

 

[nnightingale85]

Thanks for your replies! I will try and get a pic up of the moving radiator. The £2800 got us 6 new radiators, the new boiler, all the pipe work upstairs as we only had heating downstairs, a chemical flush, and relocation of an outside tap. I'm glad the install looks good!! 🙂

 

[Worcester]

You have rights, in fact they are really hard on us as tradesmen!

It's all part of the new Consumer Rights Act 2015

There are clear rules for what should happen if a service is not provided with reasonable care and skill

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/a...e-consumer-work/the-consumer-rights-act-2015/
and
Consumer Rights Act 2015 - Which?

You have the right to expect a system that works and that it should have been installed with reasonable care and skill, a 'wonky' radiator is an example of something that is not done with 'reasonable skill' a botched up wall and a leaking condensate pipe are both examples of something not done with reasonable care or skill.

If he doesn't respond within a reasonable time and put it ALL right then you have rights to reclaim costs - see above - DON'T be a pushover for bad workmanship.

See also how it affects us from our point of view 🙂
Consumer Rights Act 2015: How will it affect trade? | The CPA

 

[PhoenixServices]

To be fair you got a good amount for £2800 that would of probably just been a flush and boiler install from me. But if that's the price he quoted he should of done everything to a decent standard.

 

[kay-jay]

The outside tap is shocking. The pipework should be sleeved as it passes through the wall.

 

[Worcester]

Only one screw holding the tap on, and I bet there's no double check valve on it either...

Trouble with all these threads is the OP describes problem, gets a few replies and tips and then doesn't come back to tell us the final outcome 🙁 (No specific criticism to the OP here, just venting my frustration!)

 

[nnightingale85]

Sorry Worcester, I have been away for Christmas. At the moment we're waiting to hear from the plumber...who is still ignoring us. We thought we'd give him the benefit of the doubt over Christmas. But tomorrow I'm going to be ringing another plumber to come and do the job, I will then be sending a strongly word complaint to the original plumber, and ask for some money back for the cost of the repair (optimistic I know, but it's worth a shot!)

We're getting a conservatory built in a few weeks, so I'm hoping the builders might sort the brickwork at the front.

Kay Jay, what do you mean by sleeved? That tap was originally at head height! We complained that its a bit dangerous as its right on the corner, he 'dropped it down'. I was imagining he would somehow drop it down inside and pass it through a a reasonable height!

It's so difficult living in a new place with no friends or family to recommend tradesmen.

Will keep you updated on the outcome! 🙂

 

[nnightingale85]

I've just realised that the outside tap picture is the old one. I complained about it being at head height, and the shoddy brick work.

He has since filled the brick with cement and extended the pipe outside so the tap is at knee height, but there is now a big long exposed pipe outside to the tap.

He has ignored us since this!

 

[kay-jay]

When I say sleeved I mean the copper pipe should be run through the wall in a sleeve made from plastic overflow pipe. This is a regulation and prevents chemicals in mortar and plaster from reacting with the copper pipe which over time causes pinhole leaks

 

[nnightingale85]

Aaaah, thanks. Another thing to add to the list!! Would you recommend this is done soon?

I think I will ask the plumber who comes to fix the leaking pipe!

Any recommendations for a reliable and decent plumber in Tameside 🙂

Thanks

 

[FunkyOstrich]

Oh this just sound miserable! Poor you. I agree £2800 for all that work is a good price. How many days was he busy with it? Changing a boiler, fitting a few pipes and wiring it up is easy. Doing it neatly and keeping the customer's needs in mind is sometimes too much to ask for some plumbers and gas engineers. I'm very curious to see what the radiators look like. Please send pics!

 

[nnightingale85]

I know!

It is a good price, but we had a few similar priced quotes, so went with an 'Ideal Boiler Installer' from their website. I am so angry that they would recommend a workman with such little care and attention.

I'm so tempted to complain to them.

I will post some pictures of the radiators when I get home from work.

He literally did it in one day, I think half the problem was he was rushing. But when we called him back he said 'I'm not a bricky'. That's not really the point! Now I have had some advice from this forum, it is clear that the condensate pipe is inadequate, and he should have sleeved the copper pipe.

I don't trust him to come back to do the work, but it's all added expense that we also can't afford.

It's all a learning curve though.

 

[nnightingale85]

I am writing the plumber a complaint letter and requesting a refund for the work that needs doing as I don't trust him to do it.

Please could you advise me of an approximate cost (up north) for the repair of the following:

Leaking Condensate Pipe replacing

Radiator securing to wall (it moves from side to side)

Copper pipe to outside tap sleeving (ideally the pipe running inside, and then coming outside at knee height so the 3ft of copper pipe isn't exposed outside).

Repairing shoddy brick work to the front of the house

Thanks in advance, and thank again for all of your advice 🙂

 

[stevetheplumber]

if the rad is moving side to side on the brackets i doubt he has fitted the plastic inserts to the brackets sometimes a blob of silicon will cure it

 

[kay-jay]

Hard to say without seeing it in the flesh so to speak but I would imagine a couple of hundred quid

 

[nnightingale85]

Thanks, it's just an estimate. Hopefully he will refund us, but doubt it.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Leaking Condensate Pipe replacing : £100 - £150

Radiator securing to wall/ movement : £30

new outside tap : £100

brick work : about £150

 

[nnightingale85]

 

[nnightingale85]

Photos of radiator as requested. Also slightly concerned because the installation manual states that the external condensate pipe must be a minimum of 30mm before it passes through the sleeved wall.

My pipe seems smaller. The list is never ending :whatchutalkingabout

 

[ShaunCorbs]

yours is fine as it increases outside to 1 1/4

 

[stevetheplumber]

Rad is moving because its piped in ten mm a bit of silicon will help

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Rad is moving because its piped in ten mm a bit of silicon will help

plastic as well

 

[GrahamM]

View attachment 24366View attachment 24367

Photos of radiator as requested. Also slightly concerned because the installation manual states that the external condensate pipe must be a minimum of 30mm before it passes through the sleeved wall.

My pipe seems smaller. The list is never ending :whatchutalkingabout

As mentioned yours is 30mm by looks of it. Out of interest read a few lines down as the current Logics state external condensate pipework should also be insulated with weather proof insulation (type o) as a further precaution against freezing.
I have came across a few 30mm condensates freezing solid over the years.

 

[thompsonbrown]

Hello,

This is my first post and I hope you could offer me some advice please.

We recently had a new boiler fitted, the boiler and radiators are working well, but the finish is awful.

The Condensate Drainage Pipe runs externally to the soil pipe, not ideal, but were having a conservatory fitted over it.

This pipe is now leaking from the joint where it meets the soil pipe and also the elbow and other joints. The plumber is avoiding our messages and to be honest I would rather ask someone else to do the job.

I have attached a picture of the pipe, I'm no expert but should it not be one pipe at an angle?

Please could you offer advice on what I should be asking a plumber for, I need this pipe to be water tight, as its going to be boxed in in the conservatory which is supposed to be getting done in the first weeks of January.

Thank You in advance (sorry I couldnt rotate it!)

Nat View attachment 24249🙂

Looks like a plumber who forgot to bring solvent weld glue.

 

[Worcester]

Weather proof insulation (type o)

Hi Graham M, from memory if using Armaflex, the type O isn't outdoor rated - the UV will break it down you'll need the HT version (We use it all the time for heat pumps etc, get the HT tape as well Solar external outdoor pipe insulation PipeLagging.com )

 

[JCSPLUMBING]

When I say sleeved I mean the copper pipe should be run through the wall in a sleeve made from plastic overflow pipe. This is a regulation and prevents chemicals in mortar and plaster from reacting with the copper pipe which over time causes pinhole leaks

I think it's more to do with movement and abrasion mate

 

[nnightingale85]

Well the plumber got back, he feels the condensate pipe is perfectly suitable, as he has installed 100's like that. They do have leaks where the glue needs resealing or the glue hasn't set.

He is coming to glue the pipe as needed. However I would feel more confident with one diagonal pipe. What would you recommend I ask for? Just a glue or a new pipe?

Thanks again 🙂

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Well the plumber got back, he feels the condensate pipe is perfectly suitable, as he has installed 100's like that. They do have leaks where the glue needs resealing or the glue hasn't set.

He is coming to glue the pipe as needed. However I would feel more confident with one diagonal pipe. What would you recommend I ask for? Just a glue or a new pipe?

Thanks again 🙂

New pipe outside as well as it looks a mess

 

[Worcester]

Remember your rights:

1) As a trader, he must perform the service with relevant care and skill, and within a reasonable time frame. Also, information said or written is binding, ‘where the consumer relies on it’.

2) If any of the parts of his service is below standard, you as the consumer are entitled to ask for him to either redo a part of the service or complete the whole service again for free.

3) If the service cannot be performed within a reasonable amount of time, without causing inconvenience, you, the consumer are entitled to ask for a price reduction – in some cases up to 100%.

4) He has only one chance to redo a service to the customer’s satisfaction.

You have all the advice and list of items here, so go through this thread again and make the appropriate notes.

a) Give him the full list that you have from here, including the requirement for the Benchmark report PLUS a copy of the Building Regulations notification that he has to have filed.

b) Advise him that if it is not fixed properly (all the items) first time to YOUR satisfaction within a reasonable time - agree ithe timescale with him, that you will get a third party to fix it and reclaim the costs from him.

- If nescessary to get redress, you can easily contact GasSafe and raise a complaint (too few people do 🙁 )

 

[nnightingale85]

Thanks Worcester. I will be asking for replacement of the condensate pipes, I am anticipating he won't be happy with this, so if he doesnt I will explain that I will be seeking a refund for the cost of the repairs.

Whilst I'm here, could anyone tell me how I would attach foam insulation to the pipes where it meets the wall? Does it need sealing or anything? I'm such an ammateur lol.

Thanks 🙂